Cradle device for a portable radio terminal

ABSTRACT

This device comprises: 
     a holder part (32) in which the terminal (1) comes to rest, 
     a fixed part (30) 
     a fitting system for connecting the two parts, formed by: 
     a ball joint (50) fixed to one of the parts, 
     an opening (52) provided in the other part, for allowing the engagement of said ball joint, 
     a ball joint positioning system (55, 57), 
     a locking hook (60) for locking the holder part onto the fixed part.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/778,226 filed Jan. 8,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,914.

The invention relates to a cradle device notably intended for a portableradio terminal comprising:

a holder part in which the terminal comes to rest,

a fixed part

a fitting system for connecting the two parts and rendering said holderpart removable.

This device finds important use notably in the field of motor cars formounting a mobile radio terminal connected to a GSM network. Under thesecircumstances, one wishes to use his or her terminal under conditions ofmaximum comfort considering the rather noisy environment.

Such a device is described in European Patent document no. 0 617 535.Certain functions one expects from this type of device are performed bythis known device. A first one of these functions consists of feedingthe radio terminal once it is put in its holder, in order to save onoften costly accumulators. A second important function is the functioncalled handsfree function. Conversely, the known device does not back upa third function called private communications function. This type ofcommunications implies that the handsfree system is deactivated, thatthe microphone and the loudspeaker of the terminal are used, that thefirst function is ensured and that, finally, the connection to theantenna of the vehicle is maintained.

This third function implies that the holder part which comprises meansfor ensuring the first function and maintaining the connection to theantenna, is separated from the fixed part during the privatecommunication and connected to the fixed part at the end of thiscommunication. The fitting system which permits of this separation andthis repetitive connection is to satisfy several requirements. As thedevice is installed inside a motor car in most circumstances, theseparation must not take place suddenly when there is a shock which isslightly heavy (for example 7 g). Another requirement resulting from thefirst requirement is that the fitting can easily be done correctly.

The present invention proposes a device of the type mentioned in theopening paragraph which largely satisfies above-mentioned requirements.

Therefore, such a device is characterized in that the fitting system isformed by:

a ball joint fitted on one of the parts,

an opening for permitting the engagement of said ball joint, provided inthe other part,

a flat positioning surface relative to said ball joint,

a locking hook for locking the holder part onto the fixed part.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will beelucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a device and a radio terminal according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows only the device according to the invention, without theterminal; and

FIG. 3 shows in a cross-sectional view the fitting system which formspart of the device according to the invention.

In FIG. 1, reference 1 indicates a mobile radio terminal suitable for,for example, a GSM network. This terminal usually comprises: aloudspeaker 10, a display 11, a keypad 12 and a microphone 13. Thisterminal 1 is accommodated in the cradle device 2 according to theinvention. This device comprises a fixed part 30 and a holder 32 inwhich the terminal 1 rests.

The fixed part 30 is formed by a base 35 which is fixed by bolts 36 onthe flat surface 38 of the vehicle, a gooseneck 40 which allows the userto adapt the position of the cradle device as he or she likes and,finally, a base 45 on which said holder 32 rests.

FIG. 2 explains the fitting system of the holder 32 and of the fixedpart 30. According to the invention, the system is formed by a balljoint 50 which is accommodated on the base 45, and by an opening 52provided in the holder 32. A flat surface 55 provided in the ball jointmakes it possible to determine the position of the holder with respectto the base. A stop 57 provided in the opening 52 is sunk in this flatsurface 55. Once the holder has been positioned, a hook 60 can engagewith a slot 62 provided in the non-visible surface of the holder 32 andshown in a dashed line in FIG. 2.

Thus, this fitting system according to the invention permits a firstfixing which is easy due to the ball joint. A rotation around this balljoint permits of determining a position, so that when the holder isbrought together with the base, there is immediately contact between thehook and its slot. The positioning of the hook finally locks the holderonto the fixed part.

A highly significant characteristic feature of the invention is that thefitting system is arranged in such a way that there is space 61 (FIG. 1)left free on the body of the holder, so that the hand of the user caneasily take said holder.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the fitting system. In thisFigure the elements common to those of the preceding Figures carry likereferences. In this FIG. 3, the hairpin form is to be noted of a hookforming the spring 69 of the hook 60. Thus, this part 60 makes itpossible to lock the holder 32 against the base 45 and permits, via amovement indicated by the arrow 72, to withdraw the holder from itsposition.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cradle device comprising:a holder part forholding a portable radio terminal; and a fixed part for releasablysupporting said holder part; wherein said fixed part includes a lockinghook extending from said fixed part, and a ball joint having a curvedsurface and an engaging surface; and wherein said holder part includesan aperture, a slot and a stopper, said stopper allowing acceptance ofsaid curved surface in said aperture when said holder part is in atilted position relative to said fixed part, and preventing acceptanceof said curved surface when said holder part is in a parallel positionrelative to said fixed part; said engaging surface contacting saidstopper of said holder part to hold said holder part on said fixed partand to prevent disengagement of said holder part from said fixed partwhen said curved surface is located within said aperture and said holderpart is in said parallel position; and said slot releasably engagingsaid locking hook to prevent a rotational movement of said holder partaround an axis perpendicular thereto and passing through said curvedsurface.
 2. The cradle device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidlocking hook includes a hairpin part so as to permit releasableengagement with said slot.
 3. The cradle device as claimed in claim 1,wherein said holder part extends past said slot in a direction away fromsaid aperture so as to define a space, said space being sufficient toaccommodate a hand of a user without said hand having to contact saidfixed part.
 4. The cradle device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidstopper extends into said aperture to hold said holder part on saidfixed part when said holder part is in said parallel position.
 5. Acradle comprising:a holder for holding a radio terminal; and a fixedpart for releasably supporting said holder; wherein said fixed partincludes a locking hook extending from said fixed part, and a ball jointhaving a curved surface and an engaging surface; and wherein said holderincludes an aperture and a stopper which extends into said aperture tocontact said engaging surface and hold said holder on said fixed partwhen said curved surface is located within said aperture and said holderis in a parallel position relative to said fixed part, said holderfurther including a slot which releasably engages said locking hook toprevent a rotational movement of said holder around an axisperpendicular thereto and passing through said curved surface.